This main page focuses on our family-life through photography and stories. In the links below you will find other aspects of our life including: “Journey to Joshua” which chronicles our adoption, “An Eagle's View” which is Charley's photo journal containing nature shots and sights from our travel, and "Scrappin' Like Crazy" which is Marianne's crafty website.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Our yard

So I am experimenting with our new phone which does these panorama pictures and these are pictures of our yard and house.


The front yard to the right and then the car port.


Then the house continues from right across the back yard to the left. Kind of cool! Gives a pretty good idea of how big our yard is. That is our old barn in the back. Charley and Joshua are playing with tonka trucks.

Friday, December 26, 2008

We Three Kings...... Rrrrrrum, Rrrrrruum!!!!


And we all thought the Magi came on a camel!!!!


Saturday, December 13, 2008

Joshua's Newest Skill, Winking

Yummy Christmas Treats

This evening Joshua had his first taste of eggnog. Then we baked some yummy Dutch treats called 'pepernoten' (pronounced paper note in) translated pepper nuts. They are kind of yummy gingery, cinnamon little cookies. Very crunchy and great with hot cocoa or coffee!


The first sip of eggnog after which he declared......

.... "I wike dat!"

Pepernoten dough is kind of dryish.

You roll them into snakes and then cut small 1/2 inch slices.

Put them on the cookie sheet.

Gently press them with one finger. (Only one time Joshua!!)



Voila!!! They are addictive!

Dutch Pepernoten

1/2 stick of butter, softened
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C white sugar
1 T milk
1 C self-rising flour
1 t ground nutmeg
1 t ground cloves
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t ground aniseed
1/2 t ground ginger

Preheat oven to 325 F. Cream the butter and sugars, then add the spices. Add the flour and milk. If it is too dry to stick together well, add another T of milk. Roll into snakes and cut 1/2" slices. Place on cookie sheet and press gently with finger. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Stethoscope

This is a video clip of a guy in our Sunday school class. So cool that I just had to share it!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

"Chillin'" at the Christmas Parade


I just love this photo! Joshua and I are waiting for the Christmas parade to start. Man was it ever cold! But it was totally worth it. He absolutely loves the marching bands and the monster truck.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Yearly Razorback Photo and Train Project

Well, we have taken our Razorback sweatshirt pictures for this year. The plan is to take Joshua's picture in this sweatshirt every year and watch him grow into it!!
November 2007



November 2008



DEFINITELY getting taller!!




Tada!!!


This weekend, Charley and Joshua created this cool elevated train track!


What an engineering feat! Opa de Bos would be so proud!!



Here is the Thomas the Tank Engine shed that Joshua built on his own for his Thomas.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Diligent Worker

After his birthday, Joshua worked very hard on making Thank You cards for all of his friends who blessed him on his birthday.


His Matchbox cars, of course, were right there to help lighten the work load!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

These boots are made for.....

..... playing in puddles for sure!!




Muckety, Muckety, Mud!



Oh to be so limber!






That is what I'm talking about!! MUD!!!
Thanks Aunt Peggy for my amazing boots!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Day!

Well it is election day and this is what Charley did today! He played Uncle Sam for the day at the schools that he normally substitute teaches in, where they had mock elections.